Two days after George had come with his offer, Kel sat on her bed contemplating about what else she should pack. George had slipped her a note saying that they would be slipping out of the city that night after sunset. Anything that would distinguish her as Keladry of Mindelan had to remain at her parents' town house. She looked longingly at her glaive that rested on the wall. She wouldn't be allowed to take it with her this time. For clothes all she had were breeches, shirts, and tunics. She wouldn't need any of her dresses. She debated whether or not to store her lucky Yamani waving cats at the bottom of her pack, just to keep them close. Eventually she decided against it, and stored them in their box under her bed.

Kel felt a wave of regret sweep over her. She was leaving everything she was behind to make a new identity for herself. Did she really want to do this?

Kel shook her head to clear it. Of course she really wanted to do this. It was the only way she was going to become a knight after all. And once she was a knight, she could go off and help people like she always dreamed of doing. Leaving her life behind her and making a new identity for herself would be worth it if she could win her shield. She tied her packs and carried them downstairs and laid them to rest by the back door. Then she went to say good bye to her parents.

Kel slipped out of the back door and down into a dark alley once the sun set. She navigated the twists and turns of the alleys until she found herself at the Dancing Dove. George was lounging in the shadows to the side of the building waiting for her. He turned and led her to the stables set behind the inn. She followed him without a word. He gestured towards a small mare who stood in her stall already tacked up.

The horse was a nondescript brown with no noticeable markings. The tack was the same; worn brown leather, common enough to not draw unwanted attention. Kel shot a glance at George as she tied her packs to the saddle. His gelding and tack was as common looking as hers.

She led the mare out of the stall and followed George out into the street and mounted up. Kel pulled the hood of her cloak over her head and tighter around her shoulders. The two riders made their way out of the city. Kel paused when she was at the top of a rise outside the city. The next time she saw Corus, she would no longer be Keladry. Well, she thought to herself as she turned to follow George once more, there's no turning back now.

The ride to Pirate's Swoop took them four days to complete. Well, four nights really. George and Kel would travel by the light of the moon, making swift progress on the empty roads. Then after sunrise they would find a hidden copse of trees to tend their mounts, eat, and rest before setting off again at sunset.

During their flight from Corus, George began to tell her about her new identity. Her new name was to be Kaden, and in fact, that was how George referred to her the entire ride. He assured her that the more she heard it, the more natural it would feel. She was still going to be of Mindelan, posing as one of her uncle's children. This would make it so she wouldn't have to remember to lie about where she was from, preventing possible slips of the tongue.

"The thing to remember about creating a convincing backstory, or lying in general, is to keep it simple," George told her that last night as they rode. "The simpler the tale, the more likely it is to be believed. This whole charade rests on our hope that Wyldon doesn't know your uncle well enough to become suspicious. And personally, I doubt he'll become suspicious at all. Your uncle is reclusive and hasn't been to court in over twenty years. Not to mention the Mindelan clan is known for being one of the largest family trees in Tortall. It'll come at no surprise that there are other children from Mindelan that want to train."

Kel only nodded, she was trying to absorb everything she was being told. She could start to see the outline of a great stone castle and wall in the distance. This must be Pirate's Swoop, she thought. I can't believe I'm going to the Lioness's home! She chided herself for losing focus and turned her attention back to the baron.

"Now while you're here, I'll be helping you to rehearse your story until it becomes second nature to you. Alanna, will be going over things like how to fake puberty. We have two months until you need to reappear in Corus. I've told your parents to let it slip that you've gone to Mindelan, if anyone asks."

Kel nodded again and they rode the rest of the way in silence.

It was only a bell or two past dawn when Kel was awoken by shouting. She tried to bury her face into her pillow, but it was no use. The body-less voices were still screeching. Kel got out of bed and washed her face and teeth with a bowl of water a servant had left for her the night before. She pulled on clean breeches, shirt, and tunic and pulled a brush through her hair before exiting her room.

Kel followed the voices until it led her to the dining room. A young boy and girl sat at the table shouting about something or other. Kel wasn't sure of what they were arguing, she was still too groggy to figure it out. Both boy and girl had strawberry blond hair and mischievous hazel eyes.

She was still standing in the door way when she heard a woman shout somewhere behind her. "Alan! Aly! Stop this nonsense this instant! Your father just got back last night and he's trying to sleep." Kel turned around as the owner of the voice approached her. Her eyes went wide as she noticed the fiery red hair and unusual purple eyes.

The Lioness was wearing a look of irritation at her two children. When she saw Kel she stopped in her tracks. "Keladry of Mindelan?" she asked. Kel could only nod. Alanna's eyes flashed with anger, her red face clashing with her hair.

Kel was terrified. Perhaps the Lioness was mad at her for being here?

"Lass, you're scaring the poor girl," said George as he placed a hand on Alanna's shoulder. "Perhaps we should go to the study." Alanna spun on her heels and stomped away. George turned his smile to Kel. "Don't worry about her, she's not upset at you. Shall we?" He motioned for her to walk with him. "Sorry for the rude awakening. Sometimes it feels like I live in a menagerie."

Kel chuckled as she remembered feeling the same way while living with her own nieces and nephews.

They entered the study to see Alanna staring out of the window, clenching her fists. George closed the door behind them before moving to his desk to tidy papers. He seemed to be waiting for Alanna to start the conversation. She didn't keep them waiting.

"I'm not angry at you, Keladry," Alanna said. Her voice was calm even if she still looked like she could murder somebody. "I've heard plenty of people compliment your abilities. You excel in staff, lance, and hand-to-hand combat, you're competent with a bow and a sword, your academic studies are commendable, and you're a fine hand with a horse. No, I'm not disappointed in you at all. I'm furious with Cavall for turning you away when anyone with eyes can see that you're just as good as those boys."

Kel couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her long time hero was standing right next to her, complimenting her, and feeling furious because she was unjustly dismissed. I am stone. Stone. Be as stone, Kel repeated to herself. It wasn't working. Her Yamani mask was terribly close to slipping.

"However, your presence here tells me that you've accepted our offer of help," Alanna continued as she looked a Kel critically. Kel could only nod, her mouth was too dry to speak. Alanna sighed. "Well then Kaden, we have two months to prepare you for life as a boy page. There's no time to waste."